"One Missed Call" is a horror manga series that revolves around a mysterious chain of deaths linked to a cursed cell phone phenomenon. The narrative begins when people start receiving voicemails from their own phone numbers, dated days or hours in the future. These messages contain the recipients' final moments, often capturing their terrified screams or the sounds of their deaths. Shortly after receiving the call, the recipients die in the exact manner predicted by the voicemail.

The protagonist, Yumi Nakamura, becomes entangled in the curse when her friend Yoko receives one of these ominous calls. After Yoko's death, Yumi begins investigating the source of the curse, uncovering a connection to a series of tragic events involving a young girl named Mimiko. Mimiko, a victim of abuse and neglect, had developed psychic abilities and was exploited by her mother, who sought fame through her daughter's powers. Mimiko's death under mysterious circumstances appears to have triggered the curse, which now manifests through the cell phone calls.

As Yumi delves deeper, she encounters other victims of the curse, including Hiroshi, a journalist investigating the phenomenon, and Natsumi, a classmate who also receives a deadly call. Together, they attempt to unravel the mystery and find a way to break the curse. The story explores themes of guilt, revenge, and the consequences of exploiting others, as the characters confront their own fears and the malevolent force behind the curse.

The curse's mechanics are tied to a chain reaction: each victim's death triggers the next call, and the only way to survive is to pass the curse to someone else by forwarding the voicemail. This creates a moral dilemma for the characters, who must choose between self-preservation and condemning others to the same fate. The narrative builds tension through its exploration of the psychological toll on the characters, as well as the relentless progression of the curse.

The climax reveals the full extent of Mimiko's tragic backstory and her lingering resentment, which fuels the curse. The resolution hinges on confronting Mimiko's spirit and addressing the unresolved pain and anger that sustain her malevolence. The series combines supernatural horror with a critique of societal issues, such as the exploitation of vulnerable individuals and the dehumanizing effects of modern technology. Through its chilling premise and character-driven drama, "One Missed Call" delivers a gripping and thought-provoking horror experience.